... on the edge
Following are a few notes I shared this morning with friends who returned to England last year:
Sorry for no word yesterday... I hope I didn't leave you worried.
Here's a quick overview of the situation, though I'm sure you've heard most of it.
Yesterday was pretty quiet here in LP as the focus shifted to Sucre. But, the tranquility has been misleading. Among the developments here: El Alto has declared its independence from Bolivia and no longer recognizes the government. I'm waiting for more details on this very disturbing news.
Electricity, garbage collection and water are out in some parts of the city according to news reports, though i've been unaffected... so far... Petrol has completely dried up, so there is almost no traffic on the streets. We've been using the taxi company next door at the Radisson. Their response times have increased significantly, taking about a half hour last night. Fares are up from 6 Bs to 10 or more as I've heard that petrol is selling on the streets for 20 Bs a liter. El Alto is rejecting all efforts to let some gas through. No propane gas to be found either. A reporter is interviewing some folks on the street who have sat outside all night in line for refills which may never come.
Things I wish I had on hand: gas camp stove and a good sized battery back up. I'd be more comfortable with larger supplies of coffee, leche, and eggs. Plenty of dry goods, bread and water on hand (boiling and filtering each day) and I subscribe to bottled water now so I'm set there. Paid 63 Bs for a chicken at Ketal on Tuesday afternoon.
The airport has been shut down completely now. You may have heard that American and LAN Chile had earlier suspended all flights in and out of La Paz, though American continues to serve Santa Cruz. (Not sure how this will affect our Cholitas in Space!) Relief flights from the Beni and Tarija into La Paz are also being thwarted by the alteños.
The congress will meet in a couple of hours, so all eyes will be on the outcome and the consequences. It's becoming increasingly violent here -- concerns of civil war are gaining credibility, especially is Vaca Diez doesn't resign or decline the presidency. Evo is posturing a bit as pretender to the throne, though I'm not sure how he would fare in that position now that most of his constituency (El Alto) has formed their own government. I think it's the general consensus that Rodriguez should take the office and call elections immediately. Caught some vid clips on the news of the folks in Zona Sur meeting again to declare solidarity with the movement contra Vaca Diez and sign petitions of some sort (a favorite activity of the wealthy who don't know how to use dynamite). Crazy!
More later today as things go down... and as I wake up and remember what I forgot to write.
Thanks, too, for the links! I should be bloggin'. It's a blazing 2 deg C here now. Time for coffee.
Sorry for no word yesterday... I hope I didn't leave you worried.
Here's a quick overview of the situation, though I'm sure you've heard most of it.
Yesterday was pretty quiet here in LP as the focus shifted to Sucre. But, the tranquility has been misleading. Among the developments here: El Alto has declared its independence from Bolivia and no longer recognizes the government. I'm waiting for more details on this very disturbing news.
Electricity, garbage collection and water are out in some parts of the city according to news reports, though i've been unaffected... so far... Petrol has completely dried up, so there is almost no traffic on the streets. We've been using the taxi company next door at the Radisson. Their response times have increased significantly, taking about a half hour last night. Fares are up from 6 Bs to 10 or more as I've heard that petrol is selling on the streets for 20 Bs a liter. El Alto is rejecting all efforts to let some gas through. No propane gas to be found either. A reporter is interviewing some folks on the street who have sat outside all night in line for refills which may never come.
Things I wish I had on hand: gas camp stove and a good sized battery back up. I'd be more comfortable with larger supplies of coffee, leche, and eggs. Plenty of dry goods, bread and water on hand (boiling and filtering each day) and I subscribe to bottled water now so I'm set there. Paid 63 Bs for a chicken at Ketal on Tuesday afternoon.
The airport has been shut down completely now. You may have heard that American and LAN Chile had earlier suspended all flights in and out of La Paz, though American continues to serve Santa Cruz. (Not sure how this will affect our Cholitas in Space!) Relief flights from the Beni and Tarija into La Paz are also being thwarted by the alteños.
The congress will meet in a couple of hours, so all eyes will be on the outcome and the consequences. It's becoming increasingly violent here -- concerns of civil war are gaining credibility, especially is Vaca Diez doesn't resign or decline the presidency. Evo is posturing a bit as pretender to the throne, though I'm not sure how he would fare in that position now that most of his constituency (El Alto) has formed their own government. I think it's the general consensus that Rodriguez should take the office and call elections immediately. Caught some vid clips on the news of the folks in Zona Sur meeting again to declare solidarity with the movement contra Vaca Diez and sign petitions of some sort (a favorite activity of the wealthy who don't know how to use dynamite). Crazy!
More later today as things go down... and as I wake up and remember what I forgot to write.
Thanks, too, for the links! I should be bloggin'. It's a blazing 2 deg C here now. Time for coffee.
4 Comments:
Yippee - a moretti blog - really like the layout and look forward to keeping updated on life as seen from the multicentro. Thank you for keeping your far away English friends informed on what's going on up there. We'll have to see what we can do about getting coffee and camp stoves from Oxford to La Paz...
Hey Michael - that sounds like quite an experience I'm not sure I'd want to have. Thank you for sharing the emotions and sentiments surrounding your situation right now - I'm sure things will calm down soon and life will get back to normal - and if not - then COME HOME!!
What's this about independence of El Alto? Where did you hear that? I am sure it was only a group who declared independence on behalf of the entire city. How would they support themselves?
Nice blog..
Dear Michael.
Marry the girl - bring her home to the states. Let me know if there is anything you need. Have a gas stove in the basement - yet doubt they would allow it to ship. Nice blog - great graphics - only you would know how to make something beautiful out of an ugly situation. take care be safe and stay in communication. xoxo. Laura
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